Petersfield 2 Gillingham 1: PETERSFIELD beat Gillingham in their last game of the season to seal their Hampshire Division 1 safety.

Petersfield started slowly and found themselves on the back foot against some impressive attacking play by the visitors.

A Gillingham penalty corner strike was saved by keeper Smith, but the rebound struck vice-captain Clay on the chest and led to a penalty stroke.

The visitors struck the flick into the right-hand side of the net to take the lead.

Petersfield started the second half strongly, playing on the front foot and forcing the Gillingham keeper to make some fine saves.

Gillingham’s defence was under pressure and the home side got their reward when Atkinson fired the ball past a helpless Gillingham keeper into the top left-hand corner of the goal with a reverse strike to make it 1-1.

Petersfield remained defensively solid for the rest of the second half with Harding, Hawkins, Marlow and captain Grinstead all putting in a good shift.

Gillingham almost regained the lead with a strike at goal which looked to be going in until Grinstead blocked the ball on the line and cleared.

Petersfield’s winner arrived when Harris played the ball with pinpoint accuracy to Atkinson, who did not connect cleanly with his shot but was left celebrating as the ball slowly bobbled into the Gillingham goal.

The hosts saw out the rest of the game, and when the final whistle blew the team were delighted with the win.